UK MOBILE PROVIDER Virgin Media announced what it claims is the "best unlimited tariff" on Wednesday, which offers free calls to premium numbers.

The tariff called 'VIP' is the first to offer free calls to 0870, 0800, 0845 and 0808 numbers, Virgin Media claimed, as it looks to compete against O2 and Three.

This means that for £31 a month, users can make free calls to premium numbers as well as bagging unlimited minutes, texts and monthly data. What'smore, Existing Virgin Media customers can get the tariff for just £26 a month and will get insurance included.

According to Virgin Media, its rivals dont come close - with Three's £26 tariff offering a lesser 2,000 minutes, 5,000 texts and unlimited data, for example.

"We've built VIP to be the ultimate worry-free monthly tariff, with unlimited calls to many 08 numbers as well as inclusive insurance with 24 hour handset replacement for Virgin Media customers. In fact we're so confident in our VIP pay monthly tariff [that] if customers can find a better tariff out there, we challenge them to take it!"

As well as its pay monthly tariffs, Virgin Media has introduced a VIP SIM-only deal. Its £15 a month rolling contract now comes with unlimited texts, minutes and data, although calls to premium numbers aren't included.

Oxby added, "We wanted to create the best SIM Only deal out there and with unlimited data, texts and minutes for just £15 per month on a flexible 30 day contract, we believe we've done just that."